Arvest Bank has announced additional accommodations for our customers affected by the current government shutdown. Because we understand the uncertainty caused by an interruption in income, we’ve established a Special Assistance Customer Care hotline for our customers who need help managing their accounts during this time.

If you have concerns about your accounts related to the government shutdown, please call this dedicated line during normal business hours –

Arvest Special Assistance Customer Care: (877) 483-2940.

A customer care associate will walk you through specific accommodations available to you.

ARVEST MORTGAGE CUSTOMERS: Arvest is suppressing credit reporting, waiving late fees and offering payment assistance including forbearance. In addition to calling (877) 483-2940, mortgage customers can visit the Arvest website to learn more about hardship assistance. Options will vary based on loan type and investor guidelines.

PERSONAL LOANS (AUTO, HOME EQUITY, DEBT CONSOLIDATION, ETC.): Arvest is offering payment deferrals for existing loans based on need. In addition, Arvest is waiving origination fees and offering an extension of the first payment due date for some new consumer loan types. Affected customers are encouraged to call (877) 483-2940 to discuss options.

CHECKING ACCOUNT HOLDERS: Arvest is waiving account insufficient funds and overdraft fees, as well as monthly account fees, when applicable. To request these waivers or refunds, please call (877) 483-2940.

BUSINESS OR COMMERCIAL LOANS: Please contact your local Arvest banker for personalized assistance.

At Arvest we are committed to helping our customers through this challenging time. If you have questions about any of the above accommodations or your eligibility, please do not hesitate to call (877) 483-2940.

There’s a new checking account in town. Arvest myBlue™ Checking has proved itself popular by many who have recently made the switch. For only $6 a month, myBlue™ Checking holds the most value of Arvest’s checking accounts. It gives you more—more security, more freedom, more choices. With myBlue™ Checking, you’ll enjoy the perks of a free debit card, $10,000 in individual AD&D insurance, IDProtect™, free online and mobile banking, free unlimited online BillPay, $600 in overdraft coverage and a choice of paper statements or e.Statements. What more could you ask for?

In Oklahoma City, Okla., we asked some customers to share with us why they love myBlue™. Here’s what some of them had to say…

“I opened an account today b/c my account at the other bank was not working out. I am very pleased to have opened a new myBlue™ account here at Arvest. P.S. I love I.D. theft protection! It’s worth the $6.00 a month for sure.”—Noora

“I like myBlue™ because I get the benefit of having a choice of either printed statements or e.Statements. Also, I like having the AD&D insurance. The added overdraft coverage of $600 is always a plus if needed.”—Sherrie

“I.D. theft coverage caught my eye!”—Andrew

“I came in to open a savings account & Melissa told me about myBlue™. I think it is fantastic and wanted to switch. You never know what is going to happen and protection this cheap is awesome!”—Leslie

“I like the added identity protection and insurance that comes with the new account.”—John

If you are an existing customer and would like to switch your current account to a myBlue™ Checking account, please visit your nearby Arvest branch or give us a call. If you are a new customer, you can sign up for your myBlue™ Checking account online, over the phone or at a nearby Arvest branch. If you prefer a different checking account option, please review our checking products to find the best fit for you.

The gift-buying season has officially started and the holidays are quickly approaching. As your spending rises over the next few weeks, remember that crime rises as well during this time of the year. Staying alert while shopping and frequently reviewing your checking account and credit card account is a smart habit to incur. Make an early new year’s resolution to become proactive about keeping your account information secure and keeping track of your spending.

Some Tips to Keep in Mind

Check Your Account. Arvest customers can do this by mobile device with Arvest Mobile Banking, online with Arvest Online Banking, by phone with the 24-Hour Account Information Line and through e.Statements or paper statements.

Cushion Your Account. The last thing you want to pay for when budgeting for holiday purchases are unnecessary bank fees. Overdraft Coverage is a service provided with most checking accounts to provide peace of mind but it does come at a cost. If you plan to use the service, you may want to use it once for a large purchase as opposed to many times for many smaller purchases. To avoid mistakenly using this service which will result in an NSF fee, cushion your account with an extra twenty or fifty dollars that you don’t add into your register that way there is always a little extra in case you forget to write down or list one of your purchases!

Stay Alert. While out shopping, be aware of your surroundings. Keep your wallet or purse out of view and try to eliminate any distractions such as cell phones.

Be Careful with your Cards. Keep an eye on your debit card and credit card. Cashiers or waiters can simply take a picture of your card for their own use later.

Check your Mail. Do this daily. If you are traveling, place a hold on your postal mail until you return.

Enroll in Family IDProtect™. If your information is stolen, this new identity theft insurance through Arvest can save you a lot of time, stress and money. For more information about Arvest Family IDProtect™, click here.

As mentioned before, crime is particularly higher during the holiday season. However, the tips above are good practices to follow year round. If you suspect any fraudulent activity with your account, contact us immediately. If you have lost your card or your card has been stolen, please call (877) 618-2648. You may also visit our Contact Us page for additional contact information.

Starting Monday, November 7, 2011, the overdraft/nsf fee for all Arvest accounts will become $17.00 per item. This is a lowering of the fee for all Free Checking accounts and a slight increase for other checking account types. We are pleased to continue to offer our customers one of the lowest overdraft/nsf fees in the country in addition to Free Checking and free debit cards. Customers should remember that this fee is only applied when the account lacks sufficient funds for payment or if the item is paid on their behalf through overdraft coverage.

Why the change?

By implementing a flat $17.00 overdraft/nsf fee for all checking accounts, we hope to simplify this fee for our customers. We believe that the same low fee for every account will serve to increase understanding and eliminate confusion. While the $17 fee is a decrease for Free Checking accounts, it represents a small increase (6.7%) for some other Arvest account holders whose accounts currently have a $15.43 charge for overdrafts/nsf. This is the first time in over a decade that Arvest has changed the pricing on this service.

How does this fee compare?

The national average for overdraft/nsf fees is $27.00* per incident, with some banks having fees above $35.00. The new $17.00 fee is the lowest in the region. Many banks are raising these fees in order to make up for lost income due to changes in federal regulation. Arvest is actually lowering the overdraft/nsf fee on our free checking account from $17.43 to a flat $17.00.

Please contact us if you have any questions about your overdraft coverage options or any other banking services.

Investment products and services are provided by Arvest Investments, Inc., doing business as Arvest Asset Management, member FINRA/SIPC, an SEC registered investment adviser and a subsidiary of Arvest Bank. Trust services are provided by Arvest Bank. Insurance products are made available through Arvest Insurance, Inc., which is registered as an insurance agency. Insurance products are marketed through Arvest Insurance, Inc., but are underwritten by insurance companies.
Securities and Insurance Products: Not Insured by FDIC or any Federal Government Agency, May Lose Value, Not a Deposit of or Guaranteed by a Bank or any Bank Affiliate.